5

D.—4.

The New Zealand Shipping Company having put on the "lonic," a fine steamer of 5,000 tons gross, to sail on the 28th April, applied to me to send some emigrants by her. I had settled to suspend emigration until June, so that people might not arrive during the winter; but, as it seemed to me reasonable to give any encouragement we could to the company in their enterprise, I have now decided to send a limited number of people by the "lonic," carefully selecting them from the nominated families and from the single women applying direct, so as to avoid as far as possible any risk of their not being able to support themselves after arrival, although they will get out at the end of June. I have, &c, The Hon. the Minister of Immigration, Wellington. P. D. Bell.

No. 12. The Agent-Genebal to the Hon. the Mintstee of Immigration". (Memorandum.) 7, Westminster Chambers, London, S.W., 3rd April, 1883. The necessity for some regulation as to the sale of ale to second- and third-class paying passengers on board steamers carrying Government emigrants, and the inexpediency of additional passengers being taken on board at the Cape, were subjects which came under my notice on the occasion of despatching the " British Queen " from Plymouth ; and I thereupon caused a letter to be addressed to the manager of the New Zealand Shipping Company, requesting him to give such instructions to the captain of that vessel as would give effect to what I considered should be done in each case. I transmit herewith a copy of this letter, together with the manager's reply thereto. F. D. Bell.

Enclosure 1 in No. 12. Sib,— Plymouth, 22nd March, 1883. I am directed by the Agent-General to draw your attention to the following matters in reference to the "British Queen," and to request you to be so good as to cause instructions to be given to the captain of that vessel to give effect to the regulations mentioned below, which the AgentGeneral considers must be adopted in each case :— 1. In respect to the sale of liquor on board, the Passengers Act provides, as you are aware, that no spirits are to be sold to the passengers. The Agent-General will also require that no ale or other malt liquors shall be sold to the Government emigrants; and, in addition to this, he requests you to give instructions that no paying third-class passengers shall be allowed to purchase ale or other malt liquor except on approval in writing by the surgeon-superintendent. 2. The Agent-General understands that the " British Queen " will call at the Cape, and, if such is the case, I am to request you to give instructions that, while the vessel is there, none of the passengers of any class are to be allowed to land; that no visitors are to be permitted to come on the ship ; and that no additional passengers be taken on board. The Agent-General directs me to add that, having regard to the recent prevalence of small-pox at the Cape, he need scarecely point out how expedient it is, apart from other reasons, that these precautions be strictly enforced. I have, &c, Waltee Kennaway, The Manager, Secretary to the Agent-Generals's Department. New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited).

Enclosure 2 in No. 12. The New Zealand Shipping Company (Limited), Sib,— 84, Bishopgate Street Within, London, S.E., 27th March, 1883. I beg to acknowledge your favour dated Plymouth, 22nd instant, conveying regulations the Agent-General wishes to be observed on board the steamer "British Queen" on her voyage to New Zealand, and hand you herewith copy of a letter addressed by me to Captain Nowell, desiring him to conform to same. I have, &c, O. E. Steickland, The Secretary, Agent-General's Department, Manager. 7, Westminster Chambers, S.W.

Enclosure 3 in No. 12. Sib,— Plymouth, 24th March, 1883. I hand you copy of lejfcter which has been addressed to me by the Agent-General, and to which I have to ask you to conform so far as may be practicable, and to exercise your authority in regard to sale of malt liquor to the steerage passengers whenever you think it desirable. The AgentCreneral's wishes should be strictly observed. I have, &c, O. E. Steickland, Captain Nowell, steamer " British. Queen." Manager, N.Z.S. Company, London.